What are the effects of delayed puberty in children?

Delayed puberty isn't simply about "growing slower" than your peers; it can have significant impacts on both a child's physical and psychological well-being. So, what are those impacts?

Puberty is a crucial stage in life, marking physical and physiological maturation. Whether puberty is delayed or early, it can affect a child's physical and psychological development.

1. The impact of delayed puberty on children's physical and psychological development.

Physical effects

Height limitation: During puberty, the body experiences a period of rapid growth in height. Delayed puberty, if left untreated, can affect physical development. Boys who experience delayed puberty may be shorter than their peers. However, with timely treatment, they can still achieve normal height growth.

Risk of developing diabetes: A large study of nearly one million adolescent boys presented at the recent European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and European Society for Endocrinology (ESE) conference showed that boys who experienced puberty later than average were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in adulthood.

Researchers suggest that the higher risk of early-onset type 2 diabetes in boys who experience delayed puberty may be due to an opportunity during development when the body is particularly sensitive to hormones and environmental factors – similar to how young children develop language skills or how puberty affects bone strength.

  Delayed puberty can affect a child's physical and psychological development.

Psychological impact

Low self-esteem and feelings of inferiority: Children easily feel left out and different when they see their friends changing physically (voice breaking, breast development, growing taller, etc.). This can easily lead to bullying or withdrawal.

Anxiety disorder: Worrying about "whether I am normal" creates psychological pressure that affects academic performance and social relationships.

Depression: In some prolonged cases that go unaddressed or without clear explanation, children may fall into a state of depression.

Therefore, early recognition of the signs of delayed puberty in children is crucial for intervention to help them overcome psychological effects and detect potential health problems early.

2. When should you take your child to the doctor?

Puberty is a period of rapid growth in both height and physiology, and parents can clearly notice the differences in their child's physique. Girls typically go through puberty earlier than boys, by about 1-2 years.

For girls

A girl is considered to have delayed puberty if:

By the age of 13, breast tissue (breasts) had not yet begun to develop.

Or, by the age of 15-16 (or after breast development), they still haven't had their first period.

Parents should take their children for a check-up early if they show any unusual symptoms for their age.

For boys

A boy is considered to have delayed puberty if:

If testicular size does not change by age 14, the testicles are not enlarged.

The genitals are not yet developed, and secondary sexual characteristics (such as voice breaking, pubic hair growth, etc.) have not yet appeared.

If parents notice any unusual symptoms in their child compared to their age, they should take the child for an early check-up and may need to undergo some diagnostic tests such as genetic testing, endocrine testing, etc. Early diagnosis gives doctors time to assess and choose the most appropriate treatment method for each specific case.

Pham Huong (according to Health & Life newspaper)

Source: https://yte.nghean.gov.vn/tin-chuyen-nganh/tre-day-thi-muon-co-anh-huong-gi-1013427